Fraunhofer-Rail

Mobility is a basic need of our inhabitants and a requirement for equal living conditions in urban and rural areas. The rail transport network in Germany currently comprises a route length of around 39,200 km. Traffic on the rail transport network is growing: passenger traffic has increased by 50 % and freight traffic by 90 % in the last 30 years. At the same time, the available route length has fallen by more than 10 % (source: Allianz pro Schiene e. V.). As a result, some rail transport networks are overloaded, putting the competitiveness of rail transport in relation to other modes of transport, such as road or air transport, under severe pressure.

Rail transport is ideally placed to score points as a sustainable mode of transport compared to other modes of transport. It requires less space than other modes of transport, is very energy-efficient when well utilized and can already be operated as a zero-emission system. Greenhouse gas emissions are more than 5 times lower in long-distance passenger rail transport and still 3 times lower in local passenger transport than in cars on the road. The difference is even clearer in favor of rail transport when transporting goods (source: Federal Environment Agency).

There are many good arguments for significantly strengthening rail transport. This requires innovations in all areas, from planning and operation to maintenance and reuse.

In order to systematically integrate our social responsibility into the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's research process, the Fraunhofer Institutes act in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. These 17 development goals relate to solving major societal challenges. With regard to rail transport, the goals “Affordable and clean energy” (7), “Decent work and economic growth” (8), “Sustainable cities and communities” (11) and “Sustainable consumption and production” (12) are particularly relevant.

For example, the electrification of the rail network, energy supply with renewable forms of energy and resource-conserving operation are the prerequisites for sustainable rail transport. However, to ensure sustainability, all further stages in the life cycle of rail vehicles and rail infrastructure must also be transformed in a climate-neutral way. This begins with the manufacture of components, requires new resource-saving technologies in maintenance and repair and continues at the end of the previous usage phase by using new technologies that enable the usage phase to be continued through repair, remanufacturing or reuse.

The increasing shortage of skilled workers, but also developments towards more humane working conditions, are driving digitalization innovations. Technologies for automated driving, digital signal boxes, automated loading and unloading of freight wagons, automated maintenance and much more are being developed.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's most important business area is contract research. Our range of services is aimed at industry, government and society. We develop, implement and optimize processes, products and systems until they are ready for use and the market. Thanks to the flexible networking of competencies and capacities in the Fraunhofer Rail Network, we can also meet very comprehensive project requirements and complex system solutions.

We offer the following services: 

1. Studies / Analyses: We advise our clients in the run-up to a research cooperation through

• Customized studies, 
• Feasibility and acceptance studies,
• Market observations,
• Trend analyses,
• Profitability calculations.

2. Consulting / Support: We support our clients in the introduction of new organizational forms and technologies into their operations

• Consulting on technological issues, for the improvement of individual work processes or for complete product development,
• Analysis of specific technology requirements, selection of suitable technology and preparation of business and technical feasibility analyses,
• Preparation of recommendations for investment decisions,
• Support with the implementation of the new technology and realization of customer-specific applications.

3. Research as required: development and optimization of technologies, processes and products through to the production of prototypes and small series.

4. Licensing of technologies and systems: We make the results of our research work available to industry as patents or licenses.

5. Testing / Certification: As part of our research and development services, you can also make use of the services of accredited testing laboratories and obtain confirmation of compliance with binding standards, e.g. testing services.